Rotary-drill well bit



g- 8, 1939- w. A. ABEGG 2,168,640

ROTARY-DRILL WELL BIT Filed April 29, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J23 3. A a 1 I 4 1 i 2 5 V P S INVENTOR.

- nB lall'r Abegg ATTORNEY.

Aug. 8, 1939. w. A. ABEGG ROTARY-balm. WELL mm mwlir. 7 0K3. ll I I w "I ,0

' ATTORNEY.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Au '8, 1939 UNITED STATES 2.168.640 ROTARY-Damn WELL BIT Walter 'Andrew Abegg, Los Angeles, Calif., as-

signor to John Grant, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application Amiga. 1937, Serial No. 139,756

6 Claims.

My invention relates to rotary drill well bits wherein the cutters are in the form of revolving elements having teeth adapted to abrade and cut away the material to be removed from the hole.

The axis of the main cutting element is in 1 clined with respect to the vertical axis of the drill stem or string and is associated with guiding and cutting members arranged in horizontally ofl'set parallelism with the drill string or hole and adapted not only to take up the lateral thrust of the main inclined cutting element but also to act as revolving reamers to ream the hole'tosome extent as the drill goes down and thus bring about a more or less constant diameter of the hole being drilled.

, An object of the invention is to provide a highly efiicient cutting bit adapted to cut rapidly and with the parts so arranged as to facilitate the clearing and removing of the chips and loosened material from the bit and the hole.

A further object of the invention relates to the mountings of the revolving cutters in a manner not only to lessen their driving friction but also to provide for the easy detachability and replacement of such parts as aresubject to excessive wear, such wear being avoided on the heretofore had.

Otherdesirable and meritorious features of the invention will be observed by the descriptions and claims herein.

Reference will be had to the accompanying Y drawings in which Figure 1 is a vertical, me-

dial section, partly in elevation of a bit embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1 with the main cutter elements removed. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of cutter and reamer elements. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 3 but with the main cutter element removed.

Fig. 5 is a plan and Fig. 6 is an elevation of a cap or retainer for the end of" the spindle which carries the main cutter element. Fig. 7 is a detached vertical elevation of the .bit body as viewed from the same aspect as Fig. 1, 1' 8.

8 is a front elevation of the modified form shown in Fig. 3,.looking from the right thereof.

Fig. 9 is an end view and Fig. 10 an elevation of a bearing bushing sleeve for thespindle which carries the main cutting element. Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 are sections and plans of toothed cutters and disks forming the main cutter elements. 7

In the drawings, I indicates the shank of the bit body D, the internally threaded portion 2 of the shank being adapted for connection to the drill pipe (not shown). Below theportion 2 there is a bore 3 from which a tubular passage 4 extends downwardly toward the cutting elements in a manner and direction to impinge the drilling fluid or mud that flows down the circulation bore of the drill ,pipe directly onto the teeth of the bit cutting elements and thus wash them free of detritus, and also to facilitate the circulation in carrying the cuttings up and. away from the bottom of the hole.

Bit body D includes a vertical depending leg or portion E which is horizontally offset from shank axis A-A, and is provided with an inclined tubular spindle 5, through the bore 6 of which extends a bolt 1 whereby the main cutter F is held to the spindle. In Fig. 1, main cutter F- is made up of a plurality of independently rotatable cutter units 1 I, I2 and I4.

On spindle 5 there is mounted a bearing bushing sleeve 8 and in contact therewith is a set ofballs 9 and a set of rollers l0, balls 9 and rollers l0 forming axially spaced antifriction bearings on which is carried the substantially cylindrical cutter element or unit II, the periphcry of which is provided with cutting teeth G. Cutter II has a smooth, reduced-diameter. axial extension or cylindrical stud 13 upon. which is 1 of the bearing bushing sleeve I and holds it from coming ofl the spindle 5. A dowel pin l8 fits a socket in leg E and a registering socket intheflange of thebearing bushing sleeve 8, thus preventing the sleeve from revolving on thexspin- The cap II isprovided with a flange 8 which engages the associate bevel cutter disk It and holds it in. place and the disk It abuts against the main cutter II and the bevel cutter disk l2 .and holds them in place.

The arrangement of cutters H, I! and I4 provides for separate renewal of these elements if they become individually worn, while wear on spindle 5 is prevented. The several cutters may thus revolve at their own individual speeds, as induced by contact with the material acted upon.

In the modified form as shown by Fig. 3, the main cutter element is indicated by 20 and is a unitary member shaped in outline like the assembled cutting element of Fig. 1.

The main cutters herein shown in assembly outline shape simulate-a cone but are not a true cone.

Reamer cutters 2|, each rotatable about a vertical axis, aremounted on and depend from the undersideot body D above the main cutters F or 20 and in oflfset but overlying relation thereto,

' as will be apparent from Figs. 2 and 4. As illustrated in Flgs. 1,3 and 8, the reamers 2| are carried on spindle-bolts, 22 extending through the flange portion H of; the body. The reamers rotate on antifriction'rollers 22', and washers 23 are provided to' reduce-i'riction and wear between the reamer cutters and the shoulderor under- 7 surface of the, bod'y flange. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I provide a pair of reaming cutters 2| arranged symmetrically at opposite sides offthe vertical plane P-P of the drilling cutter-spindle I, which plane intersects the vertical central axis A-A, see Fig- 1, of the body and shank'ol' the tool. It will be noted that cutters 2 and 1 are extended inwardly a distance substantially beyond the projected body axis AA,t hus permitting the use of a large diameter cutter having cutting engagement with the bottom of the hole throughout the full radius of the bore. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, three reaming cutters are provided, one pair Ila being positioned at opposite sidesjof the axial plane P-P of the spindle and set back toward the spindle beyond the positions of the reamers in the form of Figs. 1 and 2. A third reaming cutter Ilb is positioned directly opposite the spindle with itsv vertical axislying in the spindle plane P-P. In both forms of the invention, the reaming cutters'extend within the recess R, defined by the under-surface ll of the body or its flanged portion H and the inner face of leg E, with the reaming cutters in overlying relation to cutters F and 20 so that the cutter assembly is arranged in compact formwithin the recess and in balanced relationship with respect to lateral thrusts during drilling operations.

The arrangement of the reamer cutters 2| as spaced apart and above the main cutters F and II, allows clearance for direct and forceful impingement oi the descending circulation mud to clear the cuttings from the bit and from the bottom 01" the'hole, ai'eature of considerable importance.

The main cutters, in cutting on one side as they revolve, act as sweeps to brush out the cuttings thus leaving practically no cuttings to be worked over.

4 bit that cutssubstantially on one side, as in this invention, must be sustained against lateral thrust and this is provided by the cutter reamers 2i. Since these reamer cutters revolve they rollers to lessen friction on the; driving mechanism. Further, these reamers serve to a'ruu diameter of'hole even when o wear takes place on the main cutting element, which wear would otherwise result in the drilling of a slightly tapered hole.

' strata which is much inclined.

The arrangement of the invention herein as shown is eflicient in cutting straight holes.

It will be understood that it lies within the broader aspects of the invention to provide any suitable means for holding the main cutters in line, and therefore that the showing of vertical and rotatable cutting reamers for this purpose is not to be considered as limitative on this aspect. Where rollers are used (eithertoothed or plain) their axes may be arranged with respect to the tool axis inthe way best suited to give the tool high efilciency in the being drilled.

What I claim is- 1. In a bit for attachment to a drill pipe, a body memberhaving' an integral tubular spindle extending at an incline from the outside downwardly toward the drilling center axis, a bearing bushing sleeve over said spindle and fixed from revolving thereon, roller and ball bearing races on said sleeve, a main rotary toothed cutter mounted on said bearings, a smooth cylindrical projection on said cutter, a beveled cutting toothed particular formation disk mounted to revolve on said projection, a cap having a cylindrical portion and fixed at the bottom end of said integral spindle and provided with an annular flange at the end of the cylindrical portion, a beveled cutting toothed disk mounted to revolve on the cylindrical portion of said cap against the flange and in close contact with its adjacent beveled cutting toothed disk, a boltpassing through said cap and through the said integral spindle and adapted to hold said cutter and disks in assembly and'in place; in combination with vertically arranged toothed roller reamer cutters mounted on the body to sustain the lateral thrust on the bit and to ream the hole, and a passageway in the body adapted to extend from'the drill pipe bore and aligned to impinge circulation fluid upon and therebyclean the said cutting assembly.

' 2. In a bit of the class described, a body member having an integral tubular spindle extending at an incline from the outside downwardly toward the drilling center axis, a bearing bushing sleeve over said spindle and fixed from revolving thereon, roller and ball bearings on said sleeve, a main rotary toothed cutter mounted on said bearings, a smooth cylindrical projection on said cutter, a beveled cutting toothed disk mounted to revolve on said'projection, a cap having a cylindrical portion and fixed at the bottom end of said integral spindle and provided with an annular flange at the end of the cylindrical portionga beveled cutting toothed disk mounted to revolve on the-cylindrical portion of said cap against the a in p ace; in combination with vertically arranged toothed roller reamer cutters mounted on the body to sustain the lateral thrust on the bit and ream the hole.

3. In a rotary tool for drilling a well bore, a body, a single leg depending from one side of the body with the inner face of the leg horizontally ofiset from the-vertical axis of the body, the under face of the body and the inner face of the leg defining a recess opening downwardly and outwardly at the other side of the body, a spindle supported by the leg and extending downwardly and inwardly toward the body axis, a roller cutter supported for rotation about the spindle axis, said roller having an exposed, efiective cutting edge extending upwardly and radially outwardly from a point substantially in line with. said vertical axis toward the outer face of the leg, a portion of said cutter underlying said recess, and a rotatable element mounted on and depending from the underside of the body, said element being disposed within said recess and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis offset from the body axis at the side opposite the leg, the element overlying said portion of the cutter and extending radially outward for engagement with the wall of the well bore to oppose lateral thrust of the cutter.

4. In a rotary tool for drilling a well bore, a body, a single leg depending from one side of the body with the inner face of the leg horizontally offset from the vertical axis of the body, the under face of the body and the inner face of the leg defining a recess opening downwardly and outwardly at the other side of the body, a spindle supported by the leg and extending downwardly and inwardly toward the body axis, a roller cutter supported for rotation about thespindle axis, said roller having an exposed, effective cutting edge extending upwardly and radially outwardly from a point substantially in line with said vertical axis toward the outer face of the leg, a portion of said cutter underlying said recess, and a pair of angularly spaced .rotatable elements mounted on and depending from the under side of the body, each of said elements being disposed within said recess and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis offset from the body axis at the side opposite the leg, both elements overlying said portion of the cutter and extending radially outwardly for engagement with the well bore to oppose lateral thrust of the cutter.

5. In a rotary tool for drilling a well bore, a body, a single leg depending from one side of the body with the inner face of the leg horizontally offset from the vertical axis of the body, the under supported by the leg and extending downwardly and inwardly toward the body axis, a roller cutter supported'for rotation about the spindle axis, said roller having an exposed, effective cutting edge extending upwardly and radially outwardly from a point substantially in line'with said vertical axis toward the outer face of the leg, a portion of said cutter underlying said recess, a rotatable element mounted on and depending from the underside of the body, said element being disposed within saldre'cess at a point diametrically opposite said leg and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis offset from the body axis at the side opposite the leg, and a pair'of rotatable elements disposed within said recess at opposite sides of the common axial plane of the cutter and the first mentioned element, each of said pair of rotatable elements being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, all said elements overlying said portion of the cutter and extending radially outwardly for engagement with the wall of the well bore to oppose lateral thrust of the cutter.

6. In a rotary tool for drilling a well bore, a body, a single leg depending from one side of the body with the" inner face of the leg horizontally offset from the vertical axis of the body, the under face of the body and the inner face of the leg defining a recess opening downwardly and outwardly at the other side of the body, a spindle supported by the leg and extending downwardly and inwardly toward the body axis, a roller cutter supported for rotation about the spindle axis, said roller having an exposed, efiective cutting edge extending upwardly and radially outwardly from a point substantially in line with said vertical axis toward the outer face of the leg, a portion otsaid cutter underlying said recess, and a rotatable element mounted on and depending from the underside of the body, said element being disposed within said recess and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis oil'set from the body at the side opposite the leg, the element overlying said portion or the cutter and extending radially outwardly for engagement with the wall of the well bore to oppose lateral thrust of the cutter; there-being a. circulation, passageway extending through said body and opening. downwardly into said recess whereby circulation fluid is adapted to be directed from the passageway onto both said cutter and said element. g

WALTER ANDREW ABEGG. 

